FROM DAYS GONE BY

This week’s Memory Jogger, submitted by Darla (Ritz) Shives of Warfordsburg, was taken in front of Ritz Bros. Store in Buck Valley circa 1945 and pictures from left to right: Kenny Hixon, John Ritz (Darla’s father), Keith Hixon, Gene Ritz and Jimmy Ritz. The boys were on their way to school.
20 Years Ago

From The Files Of February 22, 1990
’90 A McConnellsburg area man was injured and four others left homeless when a fire of undetermined origin gutted a mobile home

with attached one-story wood frame house in the Ridge area of Todd Township last Tuesday, February 20. Firemen received the alarm for a fire at the Ridge area home of Lillian Spriggs. The fire appeared to have started in the mobile home section of the structure, and the origin was undetermined at press time. Lillian Spriggs, Tony Spriggs and Tim Davis were at home and asleep when the fire began. Lillian and Davis were able to escape uninjured, but Tony Spriggs suffered second-degree burns to his hands, arms and neck and was transported to the Medical Center and later to Washington County Hospital.

Robins have been sighted in the county for some weeks now as a sign of an early spring, and last week the first large flock of wild geese flying northward was seen over Clear Ridge.

Southern Fulton School Board and Southern Fulton Education Association, the teachers’ union, reached agreement last week on a new three-year contract which calls for average annual salary increase of $2,000 the first year, $2,200 the second year and $2,500 the third year. The agreement on the new contract ends a lengthy and sometimes bitter labor dispute which began with preliminary negotiations over a year ago.

Tom Peck qualified fourth to enter the Grand National 300 Goody’s at Daytona last Saturday. He narrowly escaped with only minor damage to his right front fender and rear quarter panel in a 23-car pileup at the race. However, Peck was able to finish the race in 18th position. Saturday’s pileup was the worst accident in 30 years at Daytona. Peck earned $7,962 for his efforts in the race, which was won by NASCAR veteran Dale Earnhardt. Peck will run this Saturday in the Pontiac Excitement 200 at Richmond, Va.

A candlelight ceremony January 27 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, McConnellsburg, was the setting for the marriage of Angela Lynch and Kevin Kendall. Angie is the daughter of Linda Mellott, Orrtanna, and James Mellott, Fayetteville. Kevin is the son of Robert and Bonita Kendall of McConnellsburg.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Dale Waite of Fort Littleton on February 10; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Williams of Burnt Cabins on February 12; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. William Hurney of Mc- Connellsburg on February 13.

From The Files Of February 21, 1980
’80 County residents travelling Route 30 over Tuscarora Mountain will notice that the old Tea Room has been torn down. The 50-

year-old building was built by Robert G. Alexander and operated by A.C. Gress and Emery True, all local men, during its heyday in the 1930s. The gas station, restaurant, store was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Forrester during the 50s and 60s but had fallen into a state of disrepair since their retirement and its subsequent sale to Melvin Bushek of Ohio. The present owner of the property is James Laye, a Chambersburg businessman, who plans to build a home on the site.

A 2:00 p.m., wedding mass in Frederick, Md., on February 9 celebrated the marriage of Fred Lewis Stenger to Barbara E. DiCocco. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adelcho DiCocco of Malden, Mass. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Stenger of McConnellsburg.

A surprise 25th wedding anniversary party was held recently in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Karl E. Horton of Mc- Connellsburg.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Lane of Harrisonville on February 8; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Nearhood of Saltillo on February 8; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Peter West of St. Thomas on February 9; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. David Hoover of Bedford on February 12; son to Mr. and Mrs. Dana Keefer of Mercersburg on February 13; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Watkins of McConnellsburg on February 14.

From The Files Of March 5, 1970
’70 The Truax General Store in Burnt Cabins was robbed on Saturday by a masked youth who held the owner, Charles Lee Truax, at

gunpoint while he emptied the cash register of approximately $25. Mr. Truax was at the back of the store when the masked man entered through the front door. Thinking it was some sort of joke being played on him, he walked towards the gunman but stopped when he heard the click of the gun’s hammer being pulled back. State police are continuing their investigation for the robbery.

Dun & Bradstreet has announced the promotion of John Glazier to divisional sales manager, Philadelphia, effective March 1.

The Hamil Restaurant on Lincoln Way East was sold recently to Jack Shimer of McConnellsburg, who will take over ownership on March 31.

Hustontown Area Volunteer Fire Co. will hold an oyster and fish supper at the firehall on March 14.

Dolores Hall Christian of McConnellsburg was named outstanding student in all phases of the practical nurses program of Chambersburg Area School District Practical Nursing Class, which graduated on Friday night.

Mr. and Mrs. S. Lee Richards of McConnellsburg celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on February 21.

Engagement: Mr. and Mrs. Howard Sipes of Harrisonville announce the engagement of their daughter, Penelope Ann, to Gary Leon Shives, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Reed Shives of Big Cove Tannery.

Men in Service: SP5 Dennis E. Lane is due to arrive home early in March from Vietnam. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Lane of Hustontown. Lane has been in the Army since September 23, 1968, serving with the Armored Calvary Regiment.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Beaver of Chester on February 23; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McMath of Shade Gap on February 23; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Souders of Shirleysburg on February 24; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Terry Sipes of McConnellsburg on February 26.

Timothy Taylor, of the us Army, has returned to his base near Anchorage, Alaska. After spending several days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Taylor, Thomas and Susan near Hustontown.

50 Years Ago

From The Files Of March 10, 1960
’60 The barn on the Charles Edwards property near Hustontown was completely destroyed by fire last Saturday and a milk cow and 11

springers perished in the flames. A hay baler and other farm machinery were also destroyed.

Two 15-year-old boys from Dorchester, Mass., were apprehended on Friday on Route 522 north by Cpl. Clyde E. Smith of the McConnellsburg State Police, assisted by William Wolfe of McConnellsburg, following an auto chase through town. The corporal spotted the stolen car driven by the youths while eating lunch with Wolfe and enlisted his aid in pursuing it. The juveniles were wanted in connection with an armed holdup at Judy’s North End Market in Mercersburg that morning. Two pistols and $175 in stolen bills were found in the stolen car.

Three McConnellsburg youths, Joseph M. Rhodes, Joseph Headley and John E. Helman, have enlisted in the us Army. They will be taking basic training at Fort Jackson.

A3-C Donald O. Bard of McConnellsburg will leave McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., on March 16 for a threeyear tour of duty in Holland. He was the outstanding graduate of his class in “Aircraft Mechanic, Jet Fighters Course,” at the Air Force Technical Training Center at Amarillo,Texas, on February 14.

Mr. Blue Eyes, a cat belonging to Ray’s Bakery, Mc- Connellsburg, narrowly escaped death after being trapped for two hours in the furnace. He was badly scorched and lost his whiskers but is slowly improving which goes to show, cats really may have nine lives.

Miss Beulah Johnson is recuperating from major surgery in the home of her sister, Dr. Jean Johnston, in London, England

Schools in Fulton County were closed on Thursday and Friday of last week due to bad weather conditions, and roads were closed due to the snow.

Mrs. Mary Morton moved on Friday to the Russell Nelson home on South Second Street, which she purchased earlier this year.

The engagement of Wilda Mae McKee, Amaranth, to Foster E. Schooley of McConnellsburg is announced.

A meeting will be held on Sunday, March 13, in the Odd Fellows Lodge Hall in Harrisonville to organize a Rebekah Lodge, an auxiliary of the IOOF.

Announcement has been made of the engagement of Mary Page to Gordon Hawk.

Births: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Souders of Needmore on March 1; a daughter to Mr and Mrs. Lester Detwiler of Hustontown on March 2; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Flannigan of McConnellsburg on March 5; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Seiders of Cito on March 6; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Laidig of Mc- Connellsburg on March 7.

From The Files Of March 7, 1940
’40 According to G.L. Reisner, county advisor for vocational agriculture in Fulton and Franklin counties, the annual project summary

recently compiled for the past year shows that 158 boys in the area completed more than 200 home projects in a pupil’s labor income of $7,530.05. The report shows that the boys grew 39.7 acres of corn, 15.5 acres of vegetables, 4.4 acres of small fruits, 10 acres of potatoes and nine acres of wheat. In livestock enterprises, swine was most popular, with 16 pigs fed for market as well as 64 sows; 5,028 baby chicks grown; 596 laying chickens were kept; 100 pouts were raised; 29 sheep were raised; 15 cows; 26 calves; 39 colonies of bees and 36 rabbits.

Deaths: William Calvin Mc- Clain of Taylor Township, George Hollinshead of Harrisonville.

Fulton Countians admitted to Everett Hospital the past week were Charles Keifer of Webster Mills for observation and treatment and Mrs. Alice Mellott of Cito for reduction of dislocated shoulder.

M. Hutchinson of Mount Union has submitted a low bid for construction of 2.11 miles of macadam road between Needmore and Hancock in Thompson Township.

Marriage licenses have been issued to the following: Rinehart Hess and Grace Hill, both of Warfordsburg; Clarence Williams of McConnellsburg and Mabel Kerlin of Newville; William C. Burns of Bethlehem and Grace Marie Runyan of Clarion.

Surveyor Frank P. Plessinger, after a service of almost seven years with the Pennsylvania Game Commission as senior land engineer, has returned to his home at Amaranth. At that time, Plessinger had charge of surveying over 200,000 acres of land in 37 counties.

Lynn Bard and family have moved from the Sheets property on South First Street to the McClain apartments on Second Street. Calvin Crouse and family have moved to the Sheets’ place

State Police Commissioner Lynn G. Adams this week ordered motor police to take all persons suspected of drunken driving to the nearest physician for examination.

Mrs. F.D. Findley was in Bedford Monday where she was the guest of the Bedford Women’s Club, giving an address, “Character in Democracy.”

Mrs. Wilson Nace entered the West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh last week for observation and treatment.

Martin Souders suffered a paralytic stroke at his home in Ayr Township on Monday.

Anna Mae Mellott of Hustontown is reported seriously ill at the present time.

Death: George Fockle of Johnstown.

Mrs. Alice C. Harper of Neelyton enjoyed a birthday dinner in her honor on February 29 at the Cutchall-Tritle home at Center

80 Years Ago

From The Files Of March 6, 1930
’30 Deaths: Mr. William Lee Berkstresser of Hustontown;

Stanley Brown of Clear Ridge is employed on a logging job near Webster Mills.

At a sheriff’s sale on Saturday, Cyrus Wagner bought 30 acres of land in Todd Township for $195; Earl Morton bought a fiveacre tract of timber in Todd Township for $4 and a property in Licking Creek Township was bought by Earl Sipes for $125.

Fred Souders, son of Scott Souders, formerly of Mc- Connellsburg, is now employed at a printing office in Shippensburg. Fred learned printing at the Loysville Orphans’ Home, where he was also a member of the noted band of that institution.

Mrs. Oscar Mellott of near Sipes Mill was taken to Chambersburg Hospital last Thursday, suffering from gallstones.

Lawrence Snyder was operated on last Saturday at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital for a goiter.

James Laidig and Marjorie Snyder were wed March 1.

Clarence C. Appleby and Jean V. Helman were married on February 22.

The Sinclair Oil Co. has leased Jacob Mellott’s garage on East Lincoln Way for 10 years. Blair Barton will be in charge.

Pupils of the Clear Ridge school who were present every day in February were Hazel Gallagher, Hilda Wilson, Adeline Winegardner, Olive Winegardner, Grace Wilson, Mae Wilson, Raymond Henry, Herman Knepper and George Wilson. Martha Mc- Gowan is the teacher.

Last Saturday evening Mrs. Harvey Naugle of Burnt Cabins became very ill. Dr. Locke ordered her to go to the hospital at Huntingdon and on Sunday morning, twins, a boy and girl, were born.

Boyd, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Kling of Burnt Cabins, has been seriously ill with intestinal flu.

Gilbert B. Mellott of Buck Valley lost two valuable horses last week and now has a cow that is seriously sick.

Death: Mrs. Alfred Potts Mann of Buck Valley.

Mrs. Eleanor Fleck, widow of Andrew G. Fleck, who was a fist lieutenant in the Civil War, is making her home with her granddaughter, Mrs. John Wible of Three Springs. Mrs. Fleck is past 80 years of age.

Phil Finiff received al letter form his son,Wesley, that he enlisted at Harrisburg last Friday and is now Private Finiff of the U.S. Air Corps.

Andrew Swope’s 2-year-old daughter is seriously ill with pneumonia of both lungs at their home in Belfast Township.